2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Round 1

Pick

Team

Name

Position

School

Height

Weight

1

Laremy Tunsil

OT

Ole Miss

6’5″

305

The offensive line for the Tennessee Titans last year was dreadful. It is kind of hard for a rookie quarterback to gain is footing when he was sacked, an NFL leading, 57 times. Tunsil can step in right away just like he did at Ole Miss and be the best pass blocker the Titans have. Bosa is tempting, but it is important for the Titans to protect their young quarterback. It isn’t the sexiest pick, but it is needed.

2

Jared Goff

QB

Cal

6’4″

215

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, the Browns are in the market for a quarterback. The Manziel experiment didn’t work out just like the Brady Quinn, Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden picks didn’t. Cleveland has quite the decision to make between Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. Both of these quarterbacks would be better sitting a year and developing before starting. I believe the Browns take the future quarterback of the franchise here. If the Browns do not see either quarterback being the future they go with the best player available in Joey Bosa.

3

Joey Bosa

DE

Ohio St.

6’3″

275

The Chargers would be in a great position with this pick as they have a player at a position of need in Jalen Ramsey and one of the top players available with Bosa. Ramsey would provide immediate help for a depleted secondary. At safety Eric Weddle looks to be moving on and they do not have a quality number two cornerback opposite of Jason Verrett. Ramsey would fit that need, but Joey Bosa would immensely help a defense that finished 24th in sacks. Even with Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget already on the defensive line, the Chargers pick Bosa so they can put more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.

4

Jalen Ramsey

CB

Florida St.

6’1″

205

Yes, there is a big wave of media saying that now is the time to invest in the future at the quarterback position. However, Jerry is in win now mode. It is hard for me to see him pick a quarterback that won’t help the team for three years down the line instead of taking a player that can help them now. Ramsey would be great for the Cowboys as the futures of both Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr are in question. Ramsey can play both corner and safety as a great addition to the Cowboys secondary.

5

Myles Jack

OLB

UCLA

6’1″

231

The Jaguars in this situation I believe would go for Myles Jack who is the last player in the top tier of the draft. This Jaguars defense would be fun to watch having both Telvin Smith and Myles Jack roaming the field. Jack can help from the pass rush to coverage as he has a rare combination of size and speed.

6

Vernon Hargreaves

CB

Florida

5’11”

194

Secondary is an obvious need for the Ravens as there is a gaping hole in the cornerback position. Ladarius Webb looks like he will be moved to safety which opens up a spot for Hargreaves. Vernon is a corner who plays with great physicality. However if the Ravens decide to cut Monroe because of the salary cap, Ronnie Stanley would be a great addition here.

7

Carson Wentz

QB

North Dakota St.

6’5″

233

Chip Kelly gets his new quarterback in this scenario and I believe Wentz could do well in Kelly’s system. Wentz has a strong arm and is able to make all the NFL throws. Wentz is also a great, tough runner with very good speed. This would make for a very interesting training camp with Kaepernick, Gabbert and Wentz competing for the job. Wentz would be best developing into the NFL game on the bench to start his career.

8

Jaylon Smith

OLB

Notre Dame

6’3″

230

This is just a situation where talent and need match up too perfectly to pass up. Jaylon Smith would be going higher if it wasn’t for a knee injury in his bowl game against Ohio State. The Dolphins main problem last year was stopping the run and they need some playmaking linebackers to step in. Smith may not be able to play right away, but he should be a main part of a defense once he gets back on the football field.

9

Robert Nkemdiche

DT

Ole Miss

6’4″

285

The Buccaneers last year found their franchise quarterback, this years goal will be to continue to upgrade the talent level. Nkemdiche would be a great addition to the Buccaneers defense as a hybrid defensive end/tackle. I know the Buccaneers already have Gerald McCoy and Akeem Spence, but Nkemdiche is a talent that is hard to pass up. As long as the Bucs do not think he is an off the field problem, Nkemdiche would be a great pick up for the defensive line.

10

Noah Spence

DE

Eastern Kentucky

6’3″

254

Spence would be great for the Giants 4-3 system as an edge rusher. The Giants have Robert Ayers and Jason Pierre-Paul both going to free agency so they need another pass rusher. Spence is explosive off the edge and will contribute right away. The Giants could also pick Reggie Ragland as a long term solution to replace Jon Beason.

11

Ronnie Stanleye

OT

Notre Dame

6’6″

318

This would be a dream scenario as the Bears need to find a long term solution at the left tackle position. Stanley is a top ten talent and in this situation falls right in the Bears lap. Charles Leno played decently, but Stanley is a much better long term solution. Reggie Ragland would also be an option here for the Bears.

12

Laquon Treadwell

WR

Ole Miss

6’2″

219

Treadwell is a great value at this point for the Saints. It gives Drew Brees a threat and the Saints a future number one wide receiver. Colston is getting up there in age so it is a case where the value matches the need. The Saints offense with Treadwell, Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, and Marques Colston would be very fun to watch.

13

Shaq Lawson

DE

Clemson

6’3″

275

The Eagles are in transition as they move on from the Chip Kelly era. Vinny Curry had a down year and is a free agent this upcoming offseason. Lawson can be his replacement this next year and boost a pass rush that was middle of the road last year. With the Eagles moving to a 4-3 defense next year, Lawson fits perfectly at defensive end.

14

Sheldon Rankins

DT

Louisville

6’2″

304

Dan Williams and Justin Ellis did a serviceable job last year, but Rankins should take the Raiders to a new level. A defensive line with Rankins rushing from the inside and Khalil Mack dominating on the outside would be outstanding. With Justin Tuck retiring Rankins keeps the defensive line strong.

15

Michael Thomas

WR

Ohio St.

6’3″

210

The Rams have been without a number one wide receiver for awhile now. Their top two wide receivers combined for just over 1000 yards this past season. Michael Thomas has all the traits for a number one receiver and will add some height to the Rams receiving core. With Thomas, the Rams get a big receiver with good hands and speed.

16

Taylor Decker

OT

Ohio St.

6’7″

315

Offensive Line is the number one priority for the Lions this offseason as they were just dreadful during the year. Decker can come in right away for the Lions and start at the right tackle spot. It will be a big help for a team that allowed 44 sacks last season.

17

Darron Lee

OLB

Ohio St.

6’2″

235

The Falcons defense was terrible last year getting to the quarterback as they were last in the NFL in sacks. J.J. Watt actually almost had as many sacks as the entire Falcons team combined. With Lee they get an extremely athletic linebacker who has very good pass rush capabilities. He can add to the Falcons defense in pass coverage as well.

18

Jack Conklin

OT

Michigan St.

6’6″

330

The number one priority for the Colts this year will be to keep Andrew Luck upright and more time to throw the football. Run blocking was also an issue for the Colts as Frank Gore was held under 1000 yards this year for the first time in five years. The Colts should take the best available offensive lineman with this pick, which in this case would be Jack Conklin. He will add to what is one of the worst offensive lines in football.

19

DeForest Buckner

DE

Oregon

6’6″

285

Is Mario Williams on the decline? After just five sacks this past season, Williams had one of his worst years of his career. With his almost $20 million against the cap he is a prime candidate to be cut this offseason. DeForest Buckner is a perfect replacement for Williams. Buckner is a big agile defensive end that is good in both the run stopping and pass rushing aspects of the game.

20

Reggie Ragland

ILB

Alabama

6’1″

259

This would be a perfect match for the Jets as David Harris is 32 years old at the start of next season. Last year the Jets picked Leonard Williams which made for one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. Ragland will take the Jets defense to that next step as a hard-hitting, run stuffing linebacker.

21

A’Shawn Robinson

DT

Alabama

6’3″

320

The Redskins defensive line is aging as Jason Hatcher is 33 years old. They were also the second worst defenses against the run as they gave up 4.8 yards a carry. Robinson should help that out right away as an immediate impact player. Robinson pass rush is decent, but he is much better at holding up against the run. Robinson can come in and either play nose tackle or defensive end in Washington’s 3-4 scheme.

22

Paxton Lynch

QB

Memphis

6’7″

240

The Texans quarterback play last year was awful and they need a young guy that Bill O’Brien can develop. Look no further than Paxton Lynch. Lynch gives O’Brien a quarterback with the tools O’Brien can develop. He’s got a very strong arm and is a pretty decent athlete outside the pocket. Lynch will probably need to wait a year or two before he is ready to start, but this gives the Texans a quarterback for the future.

23

Josh Doctson

WR

TCU

6’3″

190

Stefon Diggs was a nice surprise for the Vikings last year, but they need some more help at that position. Mike Wallace is fast, but isn’t a reliable receiver in terms of route running and catching the ball. Doctson gives Teddy Bridgewater a tall wide receiver with great jump ball ability. Doctson will need to put on a little bit of weight, but could develop into a true number one wide receiver.

24

Corey Coleman

WR

Baylor

5’11”

190

Cincinnati is a team that could decide to go for a cornerback, but Corey Coleman is hard to pass up. With Mohammad Sanu, Marvin Jones and Brandon Tate being unrestricted free agents wide receiver becomes a need. Coleman can be a versatile wide receiver for the Bengals and complement AJ Green.

25

Mackensie Alexander

CB

Clemson

5’10”

195

It would be a great situation for the Steelers if Alexander dropped all the way to 25. Steelers are in desperate help of cornerback help as they are very thin at the position. Due to Pittsburgh’s depth, Alexander would most likely have a role right away with the Steelers. Alexander would give Pittsburgh a future possible number one corner.

26

Ezekiel Elliott

RB

Ohio St.

6’0″

225

The talent is too much for the Seahawks to pass up here. With Lynch retiring running back is a position of need. Thomas Rawls did well last year when Lynch was out, but Elliott is a game changing running back. If this happens look for Elliott to have a season similar to Todd Gurley’s last year.

27

Jarran Reed

DT

Alabama

6’3″

311

Green Bay is in a tough position with this pick. Their most pressing need is inside linebacker, but Ragland will be gone by the time they pick. Green Bay may target him by trading up, but if they stay where they are look for them to go with the best player available. Reed would fit perfectly into Green Bay’s defense as a major run defender. The Packers struggled last year stopping the run, but Reed would entire the defensive line rotation for the Packers and improve their run defense.

28

William Jackson

CB

Houston

6’1″

175

With the Chiefs possibly losing Sean Smith in free agency corner is a major position of need. William Jackson would fit the need perfectly. Don’t let the weight fool you, Jackson is an extremely aggressive tackler who also has great ball skills. The Chiefs could also upgrade the defensive line with this pick.

29

Andrew Billings

DT

Baylor

6’1″

310

Billings is too good to pass up at this spot. With this pick the Cardinals booster a defensive line that is aging a bit with Frostee Rucker and Cory Redding. Billings is one of the younger players in the draft and will only be 20 years old by the time the NFL season starts. However, Billings has rare strength to step in right away for the Cardinals and add some youth to the Cardinals defensive line.

30

Kevin Dodd

DE

Clemson

6’4″

275

Carolina already has a great defensive line, but is lacking depth after the retirement of Jared Allen. Kony Ealy should move into an every down role with the Panthers. Kevin Dodd can fit right into Ealy’s role as a rotational defensive end and pass rusher. Dodd will help the Panthers stay on top as one of the premier defenses in the NFL. Wide receiver is a more pressing need, but the wide receiver class this year is pretty deep. Adding another pass rusher would have a lot more value at this spot for the Panthers.

31

Derrick Henry

RB

Alabama

6’3″

245

Denver’s defense led the team all the way to a Superbowl victory. The offense however has some improving to do as their rushing attack was middle of the road. Denver also has their two leading rushers both as possible free agents. Nothing like adding a 6’3 245 pound running back to help out. Henry would fit Denver’s rushing scheme perfectly as a one cut running back with great speed. Henry can take some of the pressure off the probable new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler. Henry can be an outstanding game changer for the Broncos offense and also help as a fourth quarter closer to wrap up games.